Send all comments, responses, and the like to: Sadiki Kambon < hamisi@verizon.net >
Kwanzaa Is More Relevant And Needed Now More Then Ever!!!!
I have been observing with great interest, the racist white media questioning the relevance of Kwanzaa. As you are well aware, Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration with deep Afrikan roots that evolved during the "Black Power" era of the 1960s. Kwanzaa, with the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) as a base for "building a nation within a nation" is now celebrated by millions of Afrikan/Black people here in the United States and all across the world.
It is clear that the forces of "white supremacy" feel threatened by Kwanzaa and will attempt any devious strategy to undermine and destroy the positive energy and results that it has generated. We are now seeing little news clips that claim there is a decline in participation as it pertains to involvement in the Kwanzaa Celebration. It is inferred that Kwanzaa is embraced by Afrikan/Black people who were the so-called "baby boomers, but that the "baton" had not been passed if you will, to the younger generations. Therefore, in moving forward, it is alleged by the anti-Kwanzaa saboteurs that Kwanzaa is becoming less revelant as the years past. My response to that is do not believe the racist hype!!! The reality is that Kwanzaa is growing stronger then ever!!!!
Here in Boston, Massachusetts, the Community Kwanzaa Committee is celebrating its 35th anniversary with standing room only crowds turning out. We have a "model" that has been replicated by some other cities and we believe adopted by others. Over the years we have developed a Kwanzaa Committee that continues to grow and is composed of about 21 organizations as its membership. There are approximately three organizations assigned per " principle" who take on one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa (seven principles) apiece and have the responsibility of organizing their respective "principle." Examples of membership are Roxbury Community College, Smith Leadership Academy (6th through 8th grade), The Black Community Information Center Inc., Muhammad's Mosque # 11, Assoc. Black Social Workers, etc.
The spirit of Umoja (Unity) has resulted in an unprecedented level of cooperation and led to tremendous growth in Kwanzaa participation. We now have Kwanzaa Celebrations in churches, schools, mosques, community centers and many other venues. This is above and beyond the traditional celebrations sponsored by the Kwanzaa Committee itself. In regards to the alleged generation gap involving Kwanzaa participation, that is pure negative propaganda. We are now on our 4th generation of Kwanzaa in the Boston region with ages ranging from infants to the elderly. That is not an indicator of a generation gap or lack of participation in my eyes.
Send all comments, responses, and the like to: Sadiki Kambon < hamisi@verizon.net >
We must stop believing in surveys that are written by and seen through white eyes. The greatest fear of advocates of "white supremacy" is that Kwanzaa may take a foothold that goes beyond just the annual festive activities. These evil forces understand that the Nguzo Saba facilitates a process wherein we can actually "build a nation within a nation as stated in some of my previous blog entries. We as Afrikan/Black people, at this point, are consumers of at least ONE TRILLION DOLLARS annually!!! We are not a poor people, but rather we just make poor decisions with our money!! First we must rebuild our community moral and spiritual code and similtaneously use our annual trillion dollar GNP (gross national product) to build our own businesses, schools, hospitals,etc.
We now have millions of Afrikan/Black people celebrating Kwanzaa, but it is essential tht we take it to the next level and implement the tools of the Nguzo Saba to build our own nation. If not physically, then at the very least we must do it psychologically. During annual celebrations, along with the ceremony, dance, music, etc., we must institute a "reporting session" for the community,wherein "Brothers" and "Sisters" can report how they have contributed to building our nation. The reports could involve starting a business, school, purchase of LAND, daycare, hospital, training center or many other endeavors that would contribute to the positive growth of the Afrikan/Black community.
It is important that we work in the spirit of Umoja (Unity) and that can only be achieved though Kujichagulia (Self Determination) and Ujima (Collective Work And Responsibility). We must practice Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) with a Nia (Purpose) and use our Kuumba (Creativity) in the spirit of Imani (Faith).
In Struggle,
Sadiki Kambon, Convener
The Nubian Leadership Circle
Washington, DC
Send all comments, responses, and the like to: Sadiki Kambon < hamisi@verizon.net >
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